Chapter Six (Feels Like Home)

Previously, on "Memoirs Of A City Girl":
Ch. 5 (Need You Now)
-After having no contact with humans since my first day, I decided to visit The Watering Hole Saloon.
-It's a far cry from the posh clubs and lounges that I'm used to in Bridgeport, but it's better than being lonely at home.
-After dancing with some random guy, I met this archeologist named Kenji.
-We were hitting it off until I saw a woman about 4-5 months pregnant.
-I felt so uncomfortable with the phantom pain in my stomach that I ran out to my car.
-Crying in the truck, I finally allowed myself to feel the pain...and miss him.




Location: 1012 Pomona Promenade
Date: Sunday, 10/23/11
Time: 1:20 a.m.

When I get home from the saloon, flashbacks of that pregnant woman at the saloon invade my thoughts again. The excruciating pain in my stomach comes back, this time much stronger. I reach for the back of the dining room chair until I ease myself on the seat, taking quick breaths to make the stabbing sensations go away. With my right hand on my belly, things slowly come back to me. That night in our Bridgeport condo, when I was in the bathroom, holding a pregnancy test. I saw two lines. I was already three weeks late at that point, but I knew. I just knew. Were we ready for a baby? He was in his first year as a general practitioner and I was a first year resident. We were still trying to establish ourselves. I expected to be disappointed when I saw the two lines. That would mean my career as a pediatrician would be over. But I wasn't. Instead, I was elated. My heart swelled in utter joy. Not only was I going to have a baby, but I was going to have it with him.

I fall into a deep sleep until 3 p.m. I wake up with a giant headache, probably from sleeping over 12 hours straight, but I feel better. I feel just a little bit stronger. I try to see if the Fox family put up another adoption ad on the internet so I can go see Willow, but I find another family instead. This time, they have a dog up for adoption. Am I ready for a dog right now? Well, I wasn't ready to leave my life in Bridgeport behind either, but shit happens.

With that epiphany, I drive over to the Schmidt household with hopes to add a new member of my family.



I press the doorbell. A few minutes go by. Nobody answers. Am I in the right house?

"Hello." A man's voice surprises me. I turn around to find a bearded man gazing at me. How long has he been standing there? His eyes seem to hold private thoughts about me. Thoughts that would probably get him slapped if he exposed them. It makes me nervous, yet excited at the same time.

"Hi there. I saw your pet adoption ad on the internet."

"Oh, okay. I'm Benjamin." He offers his hand.

"I'm Lyn. Nice to meet you."

His hands feel strong and firm as his fingers squeeze mine. Our eyes meet again. Then I notice the tattoos on his arms. This makes me lose my breath. I remember my fingers tracing the outline of the tattoos on his bare body as I watched him sleep. Sometimes he would be awoken during the early morning hours, that moment just before the sun rises. I would smile and apologize for interrupting his slumber. Without saying a word, he would pull me towards him and kiss me as he runs his fingers through my hair. And that's all it took. A gaze. A smile. A touch. And I would lose all control.

"Let's go inside." He mutters as he opens the door.



The house is empty. Suddenly, I become very aware that it's just the two of us in here. For all I know, his wife and kids could be roaming around town. They could be back at any minute. But at this moment, I feel a tightness in my chest as I stand behind him, scanning the back of his body.

"Do you want anything to drink?" He asks.

"No, thank you. I won't be long." Wait, what am I saying? That would have given me an excuse to hang around just a little bit longer. I'm very intrigued by him.



I hear a growl behind me. I turn around, expecting a large dog with a menacing look. Instead, I see a little runt attacking a chair. He is really tearing that thing up!!



"Dozer!! Stop that! Sorry, he does that sometimes." He apologizes, looking a bit embarrassed.

"He's really cute though. Too bad I'm more into large dogs."

"Ahhh, I see. I do have a large dog, but he's not up for adoption."

"It's okay. I'll just have to keep checking the ads."

"Well, if you give me your information, I can call you if I something comes up."

"You really don't have to do that."

"Well, it would at least give me an excuse to call you."

His brownish hazel eyes are intense now, hoping that I will give him the green light. He must be single. Unless he's a dog that just doesn't care if he has a wife or girlfriend.

"Here's my number." I hand him a piece of paper with my new cell number on it. My old Bridgeport cell number has already been disconnected.

"Thanks. By the way, here's my card. If you ever need anything repaired, call me."

"You're a repairman?" Maybe he can also fix my heart.

"Yes, maam. I'm the best in town." He grins.

Do I look old or something? People have been calling me maam a lot.

The way he says it sounds hot though. He has a mild country accent. My breath gets caught in my throat. I'm usually not into bearded men, but there's something sexy and masculine about him. I can already picture him in my house, shirtless with a large toolbelt, under the kitchen sink. I can already picture his beard tickling my chin as his lips touch mine. Wait, why am I thinking like this??

"We'll see about that." I grin back.



I can't believe I just said that. Did I just flirt with him? I giggle on the way home, thrilled at the fact that I have something to look forward to. His call.



When I pull up to the driveway, it dawns on me that I haven't seen Mr. Nunu all day. I miss him!! Then I start to feel guilty. I hope he was able to keep himself entertained and fed.  Seeing his beautiful face just makes everything okay. Whatever I cried about last night, it doesn't seem to be as important. He looks surprised to see me as well.

"Hi, baby! What did you do today? Are you enjoying the pretty view?"

His ears perk up.



"And you've been such a good boy. You've been handling the move pretty well. You let me ride you, brush your hair and clean your hooves.  I even saw you exercising yourself when I got back.  What a smart boy!"

All of a sudden, he jumps up on all fours. At first, I thought he was going to huff at me again. But he has a serene look on his face.  Then I realize that he's excited about being praised!! He's just over the moon with all of the positive things I had to say.  Well, what do you know? He listens, and he responds to encouragement. Way to go, Mr. Nunu!

"Something in your eyes
Makes me wanna lose myself
Makes me wanna lose myself
In your arms
There's something in your voice,
Makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life"



"I'm so proud of you. You have no idea how grateful I am to have you in my life. You're all I have right now." I whisper softly.  For the first time, I can feel the love and trust radiate from within him. He closes his eyes as he savors the warmth of my hands. 

We are connected. 

"If you knew how lonely 
My life has been
And how long I've been so alone
And if you knew how
I wanted someone 
To come along
And change my life
The way you've done
It feels like home to me
It feels like home to me"

*Copyright 2011 Lyn C.S.*
--------------------------------------------------

"Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk
Video by: Monique1203